AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BHUTANESE REFUGEES WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000205 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS, PRM E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2016 TAGS: PREF PREL NP SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BHUTANESE REFUGEES WITH NORWEGIAN COUNTERPART Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). FM Pandey Motivated to Move Forward -------------- ¶1. (C) On January 17, the Ambassador met with Norwegian Ambassador Tore Toreng to discuss Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. As Norway was the current chair of the Bhutanese resettlement countries group, Toreng explained, he is actively engaging with Foreign Minister Pandey on the Bhutanese refugee issue. Toreng noted that Pandey was eager for ideas to move the Bhutanese Government to begin repatriation of refugees. Toreng speculated that Pandey was motivated to move forward on refugee resettlement in order to strengthen his position both within the government, and within the international community. Bhutanese Letter Had Clear Commitment -------------- ¶2. (C) Toreng reported that Pandey had shown him a letter from the Foreign Minister of Bhutan dated September 14 that contained a written commitment to "immediately" accept category I and IV refugees from Khudunabari Camp. Pandey told Toreng that the only other person who had seen the letter was the King of Nepal, as Bhutan had requested it not be made public. Toreng highlighted the upcoming visit of the Bhutanese Foreign Minister to Oslo on January 20, saying that his government would use the opportunity to press for commitments from Bhutan on repatriation conditions so that the process could begin. Toreng had secured Pandey's approval for Oslo to use the existence of the letter to pressure the Bhutanese Foreign Minister. Bhutan Must Explain Conditions -------------- ¶3. (C) Toreng noted that the Bhutanese government needed to clearly explain to the refugees both the conditions of return and who would act as the refugees' advocate upon their return to Bhutan. As Bhutan had previously rejected UNHCR monitoring the Norwegians would propose, in the January 20 meeting in Oslo, that the International Migration Organization (IMO) monitor repatriated refugees in Bhutan. Pandey had agreed to IMO participation on a team with Bhutanese representatives who would travel to the camps to discuss conditions. Toreng said that he and Pandey hoped that the participation of the IMO would reduce the chance of riots in the camps as had occurred in 2003. Toreng had Pandey's assurance that once some refugees were repatriated, Nepal would open the process for third-country resettlement. Toreng noted that, unlike previous discussions, Pandey had not reacted negatively toward, and had even appeared to begin to entertain, the idea that some refugees might permanently integrate into Nepal. Toreng highlighted the need to move forward quickly for fear of increased Maoist activities in the camps. He also noted the need to secure Indian buy-in to any solution, and said that he would urge his colleague in Oslo, Erik Solheim, to bring up the issue of Bhutanese refugees in New Delhi when he next traveled through to Sri Lanka. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) Toreng agreed with the Ambassador that if Bhutan did not react positively soon, it would be time for Nepal to internationalize the situation, such as through a conference, and to open up third-country resettlement options for the refugees. MORIARTY